Improvement in fastenings for cartridge-boxes



W. z. W. CHAPMAN Cartridge Box.

No. 34,568. Patented March 4, 1862.

[21 Val afar N. FETER5. PHUTO-LITHDGRAPNER. WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM Z. IV. CHAPMAN, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN FASTENINGS FOR CARTRIDGE-BOXES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 34,563, dated March 4,1862.

' for Cartridge-Boxes, Cap-Boxes, and other Articles; and I do herebydeclare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of mysaid invention, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making partof this specification, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical section of acartridgebox with my fastening applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a separateView of the clasp of the fastening, and Fig. 3 shows the metallic plateto which the clasp attaches.

Similar marks of reference denote the same parts.

Several clasps have heretofore been devised and some have been appliedto cartridge and cap boxes. However, in consequence of the cost of suchclasps or the difficulty of applying the same to cartridge and cap boxessuch boxes have almost uniformly been madewithaperforated strap takingover a metallic knob or button. This device is unhandy for the soldier,because when new it is very hard to connect and disconnect the strap,and after long use becomes worn and unreliable.

The nature of my said invention consists in the employment of a claspformed by a hinged piece of metal with a spring to keep said claspeither open or shut, said clasp being attached to the flap of thecartridge or cap box and the strain being taken by a flange over a plateon the other part of the said article, so as to form a fastening thatcan easily be worked by the fingers and opened or closed in the act ofopening or closing the flap of said box.

In the drawings, a is the cartridge-box, and b the flap of the same.These are to be of any usual character.

c is a metallic plate bent at right angles, so as to set upon the angleof the box.

(1 is a metallic plate upon the other part or flap 1), and from thisplate 61 a flange e projects, which, passing over the plate 0 when theflap is shut, takes any strain that may exist to pull upon the flap inthe direction of its length, and in order to keep the flap to the sideof the box I apply the clasp f, that is attached by the pin 1' and has atoe, as at 1, to take the spring g, that is located behind and attachedto the plate (1. This spring and toe 1 act (as with a knife-blade) toretain the clasp f, either on the line of or atright angles to the platecl, and when turned down at right angles to the plate (1, as seen inFig. 1, said clasp connects with the plate 0, and for effecting thisconnection I have shown the pin 2 on the plate 0, and the hole-3 in theclasp f. It will, however, be seen that the hole might be in the plate0, and a projection on the clasp f, or any other character of connectionsuch as a rib and groove-may be used, as the office of the said clasp fis to retain the flange 6 over the edge of the plate 0.

The object of the flange e is to take the direct strain on the-flap b,and thus relieve the clasp f from all strain except that of keeping theparts together. The same result will be attained by a projecting pin orpins from either of the plates 0 or d, entering an opening or openingsin the other plate, although I prefer the flange c.

This fastening is especially adapted to cartridge and cap boxes, becausethe fastening is strong, cheap, and easily operated, the fingers takingthe end of the clasp f and moving the same in the act of opening orshutting the flap, the movements being in the same direc tion as thoseof the flap, and so easily performed that the box will be fastened withgreater regularity than heretofore, thus retainin g and protecting thecontents and keeping the box in shape.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The clasp f, formed substantially as specified and applied to the lowerpart of the flap of a cartridge or cap box and connecting to the bottomof said cartridge or cap box, in the manner set forth, so as to form afastening that can be worked by the fingers in the act of opening orclosing said box, as described and shown. r

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature this 8th day ofOctober, 1861.

WM. Z. W. CHAPMAN. Witnesses:

LEMUEL W. SERRELL, THOS. GEO. HAROLD.

